US bipartisan senate resolution calls for ‘full implementation’ of EU-mediated agreement in Georgia
US Senators urge all parties in Georgia ‘to seek prompt implementation’ of the agreement signed on April 19. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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United States Senators Jim Risch, Ron Johnson and Jeanne Shaheen have introduced a bipartisan resolution in support of the full implementation of Georgia’s April 19 agreement to end the political impasse in the country.
Senator Risch said that ‘prompt implementation of the political agreement between the Georgian government and opposition party leaders would be another significant step toward resolving the political crisis that has persisted over the last several months’.
As I’ve said, the recent political agreement btwn the gov’t of #Georgia & opposition party leaders can put Georgia back on its Euro-Atlantic trajectory. I’m proud to join @SenRonJohnson & @SenatorShaheen in encouraging the parliament to get to work. https://t.co/zuvEeIHZ0o
— Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member (@SenateForeign) April 23, 2021
Pleased that Georgian politicians have reached an agreement ‘that will provide greater transparency, checks and balances, and political participation’ Senator Johnson said ‘it is imperative that Georgians work together to fully implement the necessary electoral and judicial reforms that will help create a better functioning democracy’.
Congratulating Georgia in reaching the agreement aimed to end the political deadlock, Senator Shaheen said this resolution reflects their commitment to Georgia and its transatlantic aspirations, as well as reflects their expectation that Georgia ‘will fully implement the terms of the agreement to allow for democracy to prevail’.
We know that the political fate of Georgia has far-reaching consequences for the state of democracy in the region and around the world, and we stand ready to help the government and its people as they build a vibrant democracy”, she added.
Urging all parties in Georgia ‘to seek prompt implementation’ of the agreement signed on April 19, in the resolution the the Senate calls on the ruling Georgian Dream party, opposition United National Movement and the other parties elected to the parliament of Georgia ‘to fully implement the compromise’.
European Council President Charles Michel, who arrived in Georgia after the Georgian opposition and authorities signed the EU-proposed agreement, has stated that the ability to come to a compromise is a European strength, not a weakness. Photo: Parliament's press office
It further calls on all elected MPs ‘to take their seats in parliament and begin work without further delay on the challenges facing Georgia, including consequences of the Covid–19 pandemic, a weakened economy, and challenging regional dynamics’.
It calls on the Government of Georgia as well ‘to institute systemic reforms, developed through an inclusive and transparent consultation process with stakeholders, to ensure that the judicial system is impartial and independent and not used for political or partisan ends’.
Agreement in #Georgia
— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) April 19, 2021
Sakartvelos Gaumarjos!
Congratulations to political leaders on signing the deal out of the current crisis.
You put the people's interests first and let democracy prevail.
Thanks to President @Zourabichvili_S and all parties. pic.twitter.com/cBm4pRQwWr
Part of the Georgian politicians signed the European Council President Charles Michel's proposal aimed to solve the political tension in Georgia which began following the 2020 parliamentary elections.
Michel's proposal covers electoral and justice reforms, offers pardon for all violations and convictions stemming from the 19-21 June 2019 protests and the conduct of repeat parliamentary elections in 2022 if the ruling party fails to receive at least 43 per cent of votes in this year’s municipal elections.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has welcomed the recent EU-proposed agreement between the political forces in Georgia during a phone conversation with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili.
US Ambassador Kelly Degnan says that it is completely up to the United National Movement opposition party leader Nika Melia whether or not he leaves prison.
The US Department of State has urged the remaining opposition parties and individual MPs to sign the EU-mediated agreement to resolve the political tension in Georgia which began after the October 2020 parliamentary elections.
Georgian Prime Irakli Garibashvili has responded to signing the EU-proposal by majority of Georgian parties to solve the current political tension in the country and stated that ‘now, everyone, should be focused on solving major challenges the country faces.’
Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze has announced his resignation today, however, he will continue his parliamentary activities as vice speaker. Talakvadze explained at a news briefing that following the recent political dialogue with the opposition and the consequent EU-proposed agreement, he decided to quit the speaker’s position.
Georgian parliament has elected Kakha Kuchava, 42, as the new speaker of the state legislature, replacing Archil Talakvadze in the post. 86 MPs voted for Kuchava in the 150-member parliament, including opposition legislators from Citizens and European Socialists. Kuchava holds a MA degree in Corporate Law from Nottingham Trent University.
The European Union Delegation to Georgia ‘warmly welcomes’ the decisions taken by Georgia’s political leaders in line with the European Council President Charles Michel's proposal aimed to solve the political tension in Georgia. It meanwhile calls on all other elected MPs ‘to join the agreement and contribute to its implementation, in the interest of Georgia, its citizens, EU-Georgia relations and Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future’.
The US House of Representatives has passed a bill on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs (SFOPs) for 2022 which allocates 132 million USD in financial aid for Georgia and expresses ‘strong support’ for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has stated.